U.S. patent number 6,817,469 [Application Number 10/268,702] was granted by the patent office on 2004-11-16 for golf club bag support having pivotal support members.
Invention is credited to Shu-Chin Chang.
United States Patent |
6,817,469 |
Chang |
November 16, 2004 |
Golf club bag support having pivotal support members
Abstract
An improved structure golf club bag support comprised of two
clevis sections disposed at intervals apart, furthermore, at an
outwardly oriented included angle on the appropriate positions of
the upper lateral edges and bottom mount sides; support members,
each top and bottom ends support members connected to the clevis
sections, each support member consisting of a primary and secondary
sub-member; a coupling fixture at the center portion having hinge
tabs connected to a linkage hole in each secondary sub-member; a
positioning torque spring, having a linearly projecting upper and
lower tip that are situated against each primary and secondary
sub-member. When the golf club bag is inclined at the two clevis
sections, pressure exerted onto the secondary sub-members and
directed outward against the primary sub-members, at which time,
the primary and the secondary sub-members are articulated into a
rigid pyramidical state that provides for stable support.
Inventors: |
Chang; Shu-Chin
(Taichung-Hsien, TW) |
Family
ID: |
32068630 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/268,702 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/315.7;
206/315.3; 280/DIG.6; 280/646; 248/96 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
55/57 (20151001); A63B 55/53 (20151001); Y10S
280/06 (20130101); A63B 55/60 (20151001) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
55/00 (20060101); A63B 55/04 (20060101); A63B
55/08 (20060101); A63B 055/00 (); A63B 055/06 ();
A63B 055/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/315.3,315.7 ;248/96
;280/47.26,646,DIG.6 ;D3/328.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Weaver; Sue A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rabin & Berdo, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A golf club bag support, comprising: an opening mount disposable
in an opening of a golf club bag; a bottom mount disposable at a
bottom of the golf club bag; first and second clevises disposed on
the opening mount, and on opposite sides of a center line of the
golf bag support, and each being outwardly oriented at an angle;
third and fourth clevises disposed on the bottom mount, and on
opposite sides of the center line of the golf bag support, and each
being outwardly oriented at an angle; first and second support
members, each support member including a primary sub-member and a
secondary sub-member, a top end of each primary sub-member being
respectively pivotally connected to one of said first and second
clevises, a bottom end of each secondary sub-member being
respectively pivotally connected to one of the third and fourth
clevises; a pair of coupling fixtures, each being sleeved on a
respective primary sub-member, and each having a top end of a
respective secondary sub-member pivotally connected thereto; and a
pair of positioning torque springs, each having a linearly
projecting upper tip respectively situated against a respective
primary sub-member, and a lower tip respectively situated against a
respective secondary sub-member, said positioning torque springs
urging the respective primary and secondary sub-members to be
normally maintained in a straight line arrangement; whereby when
the golf club bag is inclined, the primary sub-members pivot
outward at the respective first and second clevises, and the
secondary sub-members pivot outward at the respective third and
fourth clevises, so that the primary sub-members, and the secondary
sub-members are articulated into a rigid pyramidical state that
provides for stable support; and whereby when the golf club bag is
brought fully vertical, the primary sub-members and the secondary
sub-members are restored to their straight line arrangement due to
the urging of the torque springs.
2. The golf club bag support recited in claim 1, wherein each
coupling fixture is disposed on a center portion of a respective
primary sub-member, each coupling fixture further having hinge tabs
that are connected to a linkage hole in each secondary
sub-member.
3. The golf club bag support recited in claim 1, wherein each
coupling fixture is disposed at bottom end of a respective primary
sub-member, each coupling fixture further having hinge tabs that
are connected to a linkage hole in each secondary sub-member, each
coupling fixture further having a locating hole that accommodates a
bolt; further comprising a pair of large wheels, each being
connected to a respective coupling fixture using the locating hole
and the bolt, and a small wheel installed in a recess formed in the
bottom mount, with the large wheels and the small wheel forming a
three-point support having a rolling capability that directly
provides a means of carting the golf club bag.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention herein relates to golfing accessories, specifically
an improved structure golf club bag support that maintains a golf
club bag in an inclined state. Each support member is enhanced and
includes a primary sub-member and a secondary sub-member, with the
elasticity of a torque spring being utilized to force the primary
sub-members and the secondary sub-members into a propped open,
horizontal position (due to the resultant outward and downward
exertion of pressure) and resiliently restoring the primary
sub-members and the secondary sub-members into a straight state
upon closure. In terms of practical utility, the leg extremities of
the support members open outward into a pyramidical state that
furnishes ample bracing in a convenient and safe manner of
operation that stably postures the golf club bag and, furthermore,
without occupying an excessive amount of space.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Since the sport of golf is a rewarding leisure and recreational
activity that does not involve extreme athletic prerequisites, the
game is suitable for a wide range of age groups. Although a
high-end consumer ball sport, current levels of affluence have
allowed a surprising degree of participation by the general public.
However, the greatest difficulty of playing golf has to do with the
issue of carrying bags containing heavy golf clubs. Since golf
courses have certain number of holes along a considerable expanse
of area and shouldering a weighty golf club bag requires much
effort, many people employ a caddie or rent a golf cart to carry
their golf clubs bags. These options no only incur an additional
expense that can be quite high, but also leave golfers reliant on
caddies and golf carts that are not always available when needed.
In such circumstances, golfers must handle things themselves, and a
round of golf is often so tiresome that any leisure and
recreational value is negated. Conventional golf club bags, such as
those that utilize the bag itself to stand upright, tend to fall
over when placed on irregular terrain or hit, with the gravity of
the impact damaging he wooden clubs. If a golf club bag is placed
horizontally on the ground, this not only soils the golf club bag,
but requires one to bend at the waist to access golf clubs,
increasing the risk of back aches for older players. To facilitate
the removal of golf clubs, some golf club bags are additionally
equipped with innovative support structures. Referring to FIG. 1
and FIG. 2, the support structure of one such conventional golf
club bag consists of a pair of fastening fixtures 11 disposed along
the upper lateral extent of a golf club bag 1, a support rod 12
with a leg cap 121 for standing ground contact that is fitted to
the first side 111 of each fastening fixture 11, a pair of tie bars
13 in union with the second sides 112, and a support mount 14
hinged to the bottom side of the said tie bars 13, with the support
mount 14 positioned at the lower edge of a golf bag 1, and a
clasping component 15 that is utilized to adjust the secured height
of the tie bars 13. The structure is utilized by pivoting the
support rods 12 outward until the tie bars 13 arrest the support
rods 12 into position, thereby fully articulating the support rod
12 into an open braced posture, at which time the support rods 12
are at an include angle of .theta.1 or approximately 90 degrees
with respect to the golf club bag 1 to provide for the placement of
the golf club bag 1 in an inclined state which occupies
considerable space (as shown in FIG. 2); furthermore, since the
conjoined portion of the support rods 12 and tie bars 13 is
adjacent to the upper edge of the golf club bag 1, it constitutes
an imbalanced means of support between the support rods 12 and the
corpus of the golf club bag 1 because the reinforcing relationship
of the support rods 12 is insufficient and susceptible to leaning
when force is applied. The structure is thus basically incapable,
of providing solid support. The movability of the tie bars 13
contributes further instability and, furthermore, the leg caps 121
of the support rods 12 are so close that the tie bars 3 often snag
the leg caps 121 during the prevaricated movement of the tie bars
3, which disables opening because the leg cap 121 are caught and
seriously affects whether the support rods 12 are operable for
purposes of buttressing. As such, the conventional structure is
impractical and requires further improvement and remedies.
In view of the design and application drawbacks of the said
conventional golf club bag support structure, the applicant
conducted extensive research and originated progressive
improvements based on professional experience gained while engaged
in the golf equipment manufacturing as well as investigations into
related products to address the inadequacies of the conventional
products that culminated in the successful development of the
structure of the invention herein which is submitted as a new
patent application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the invention herein is to provide an
improved structure golf club bag support in which the support
structure maintains a golf club bag in an inclined state, each
support member enhanced and consisting of a primary sub-member and
a secondary sub-member, with the elasticity of a torque spring
utilized to force the primary sub-members and the secondary
sub-members into a propped open, horizontal position (due to the
resultant outward and downward exertion of pressure) and
resiliently restoring the primary sub-members and the secondary
sub-members into a straight state upon closure such that the leg
extremities of the support members open outward into a pyramidical
state that furnishes ample bracing in a convenient and safe manner
of operation that stably postures the golf club bag and,
furthermore, without occupying an excessive amount of space.
Another objective of the invention herein is to provide an improved
structure golf club bag support in which the structure of the
present invention forms a pyramidical support that utilizes a
three-point equidistant tripodal bracing approach that achieves the
objective of keeping the golf club bag standing and more difficult
to topple.
Yet another objective of the invention herein is to provide an
improved structure golf club bag support in which the primary
sub-members of the said structure have excursive sleeve members at
their bottom sides with hinge tabs that are connected to a linkage
hole in the secondary sub-member as well as a locating hole that
enables a nut A to be utilized for the active installation of two
large wheels, which along with a small wheel installed in a recess
having a pair of catch slot tabs formed in the bottom mount
constitutes a three-point support having rolling capability that
directly provides a means of carting the golf club bag.
Still another objective of the invention herein is to provide an
improved structure golf club bag support in which the support
members operate independently and, furthermore, simultaneously
without interference from the snagging of the support legs to
achieve the objective of the rapid and safe opening of the support
structure.
To enable a further understanding of the structural features and
other items of the present invention for purposes of review and
reference, the brief description of the drawings below are followed
the detailed description invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric drawing of a conventional structure.
FIG. 2 is an orthographic drawing of the conventional structure
during utilization.
FIG. 3-A is an exploded assembly drawing of the invention
herein.
FIG. 3-B is an exploded drawing of the structure of the invention
herein.
FIG. 4 is an exploded drawing of the invention herein assembled
into a golf club bag with a different bottom mount.
FIG. 5 is an exploded drawing of the invention herein assembled
into a golf club bag with an extension-type bottom mount.
FIG. 6-A is an exploded drawing of another structural embodiment of
the invention herein.
FIG. 6-B is an exploded drawing of another structural embodiment of
the invention herein.
FIG. 7-A is an isometric and exploded drawing of invention herein
installed onto a golf cart.
FIG. 7-B is an exploded drawing of the invention herein when wheels
are installed.
FIG. 8 is an orthographic drawing of the invention herein during
utilization.
FIG. 9 is an orthographic drawing of the invention herein during
utilization, but in another mode.
FIG. 10-A is an isometric drawing of the invention herein during
utilization.
FIG. 10-B is an isometric drawing of the invention herein during
utilization with its support members extended.
FIG. 11-A is a drawing of the first pivoting means of the invention
herein.
FIG. 11-B is a drawing of the second pivoting means of the
invention herein.
FIG. 11-C is a drawing of the third pivoting means of the invention
herein.
FIG. 11-D is a drawing of the fourth pivoting means of the
invention herein.
FIG. 11-E is a drawing of the fifth pivoting means of the invention
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the figures, the structure of the invention herein is
comprised of a golf club bag 2, opening mount 21 and bottom mount 7
having a cant-shape Two clevis sections 211 and 221 are
respectively disposed at suitable intervals apart, aligned along
the center lines, and, at an outwardly oriented included angle on
their lateral edges. A pair of support members 3 are provide, with
the top and bottom ends of which being connected to the clevis
sections 21 and 221, Each support member 3 includes a primary
sub-member 31 and a secondary sub-member 32. A coupling fixture 33
is disposed at the center portion of each primary sub-member 31
having hinge tabs 331 that are connected to a linkage hole 321 in
the secondary sub-members 32. A positioning torque spring 4(see
FIG. 3-B) is provided. The torque spring 4 has a linearly
projecting upper tip 41 and lower tip 42 that are respectively
situated against the primary sub members 31 and the secondary
sub-members 32 such that the support members 3 are normally
maintained in a straight state as though accommodating a bag (the
normal arrangement during non-use, as shown in FIG. 3-A). When the
invention herein is utilized as a support structure, inclining the
golf club bag 2 causes the secondary sub-members 32 in the bottom
mount 22 to rotate pronely at the linkage holes 321, at which time
the unconnected leg extremities 315 pivot outward into the open
state (as shown in FIG. 10-A) such that the primary sub-members 31
are positioned in a vertical state and the secondary sub-members 32
are positioned in a horizontal state, while the upper tips 41 and
lower tips 42 of the torque spring 4 exert pressure outward and
downwards, effectively producing a relatively small included angle
of .theta.2 to form a pyramidical support that utilizes a
three-point equidistant tripodal bracing approach that achieves the
objective of keeping the golf club bag 2 standing and more
difficult to topple (the opened support arrangement detailed in
FIG. 8 and FIG. 10); Furthermore, the invention herein can also be
equipped with a clamp-type bottom mount 8 and/or an extension-type
bottom mount 9 for using different golf club bags 2, both of which
are effectively capable of affording stable support (as shown in
FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). As such, utilizing the structure of the
invention herein is not limited by changes in the type of bottom
mount.
Additionally, the coupling fixture 33 of the invention herein can
be adapted into an excursive sleeve member 311 at the bottom sides
of the primary sub members 31 having hinge tabs 312 that are
connected to the linkage holes 321 in the secondary sub-members 32,
while also including the positioning torque spring 4(see FIG. 6-B).
The torque spring 4 similarly having has a linearly projecting
upper tip 41 and lower tip 42 that are respectively positioned
against the primary sub-members 31 and the secondary sub-members 32
such that the support members 3 are not propped open while postured
in a straightened state as though accommodating a bag (the
arrangement during non-use, as shown in FIG. 6-A). When the support
members 3 are propped open for use, the bottom ends of the sleeve
members 311 are against the ground and a three-degree angle of
support is effectively formed between them and the golf club bag 2
at a slight included angle of .theta.3 similar to the relatively
small included angle of .theta.2, enabling an effectively reduce
utilization space (as shown in FIG. 9). Moreover, a locating hole
313 is disposed in a wide hinge tab 312 of each sleeve member 311
of invention herein enabling a nut A to be utilized for the active
installation of two large wheels 5 and, furthermore, a recess 222
having a pair of catch slot tabs 223 is formed in the bottom mount
22 for the placement of a small wheel. The large wheel 5 and small
wheel 6 constitute three-point support with rolling capability that
directly provides a means of carting the golf club bag 2 which can
be towed about with minimal effort (the structural assembly shown
in FIG. 7-A and FIG. 7-B).
* * * * *